The Toddler

So this happened inside a train when I was returning from Khagaria to Delhi. My train was already five hours late by the time I had boarded it. Books have always been my true companion to overcome the boredom during the journey. And this time I was busy reading the classic love story to end all love stories - The Notebook, written by Nicholas Sparks.

A lady passed by my side holding a two years old cute girl child in her arms. Luckily she took the side lower berth next to my seat. Being a child lover I thanked God for the lovely co-passenger and passed her a smile to which she also reciprocated. Needless to say, the girl had cheered everyone around us within half an hour. But more than anyone else she had amused a couple. They were expecting a child in two months. I had thought that the lady was careless, travelling at such a crucial stage but with their conversation I had figured out that there was an emergency. The man was actively playing with the doll. Sometimes he was offering her chocolates and other times he would make her sit in his lap and play with her.

The lady watched them silently and often touched her baby bump maybe eager to welcome her child. The man had started caring more for the lady. After every half an hour or an hour, he would ask her, if she needed something or if she was okay. Every time she stood to use the washroom, he would follow her to the gate. She was blushing, seeing the caring father in her husband.

I could recall the wrinkles of tension that had formed within a second in the forehead of the man when the toddler fell while running to her mother. He was quick to carry her in his arms and calm her. Indeed our lovely companion had made our journey beautiful and of course, brought the couple a bit closer. I don't know, will I ever meet the couple again or not but I do pray to God that the love between them keep growing and the new guest to fulfil their life with love and happiness.